Tag: msu

Job of The Week: Anatomy Resource Manager

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, we are featuring a job posting as the Anatomy Resources Manager for the College of Osteopathic Medicine (job posting 1041146). If you are interested in being a key resource for the Division of Human Anatomy and medical education programs across four campuses and overseeing the Willed Body Program (WBP), this may be the position for you.

The MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine’s mission is to provide world-class osteopathic, student-centered graduate and medical education and research to foster community across patient-centered medical care. MSU’s Willed Body Program (WBP) allows hundreds of medical students at MSU to continue their studies in anatomy through generous donations of one’s body for educational assistance.  

In this role, you will primarily supervise and direct the operation of the Human Gross Anatomy Lab and oversee the donations from the WBP. You will work closely with families, agencies, and medical staff to facilitate body donations, prepare cremation forms, maintain the collection and shipment of cremations, and maintain confidential records. Additionally, you will plan and oversee the annual WBP Memorial Service, schedule the Gross Anatomy Lab procedures, order supplies and equipment, and work with the administrative team, faculty director, and department administrators to develop policies and procedures to maintain lab usage. Find a complete list of job responsibilities on the MSU Careers website. 

This position requires a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, or Social Science, and three to five years of work experience related to business or public contact. Experience working in a medical school and with medical records, experience with Microsoft Excel and data development and maintenance, strong communication skills, and strong interpersonal skills are desired. 

Learn more about the Willed Body Program and the College of Osteopathic Medicine. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a resume, cover letter, and three professional references, and should be submitted by May 27. 

A milestone honoree with Sparty during the event reception at the Kellogg Center.

Congrats to the MSU Service Milestone and Retirement Recognition Honorees!

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This year, the MSU Service Milestone and Retirement Recognition Program recognized support staff employees celebrating a 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, or 55th work anniversary in 2024-25 or a retirement in 2024. Review the 2025 Reception Program and see if you recognize any names on the list—be sure to reach out and congratulate them! 

On April 14, we celebrated over 1,000 employees observing long-term work anniversaries and retirements during an awards ceremony at the Kellogg Center. Our university’s development and growth have been, in large part, due to the contributions made by our staff members, particularly those who have chosen to remain in the service of the university. This occasion was dedicated to those who have served the university through the years of its greatest development. It is a tribute to those who have found satisfaction in helping others and creating an impact for a better world.  

  • Vennie Gore, Executive Vice President for Administration, speaking at a podium during the opening remarks.
    Vennie Gore, Executive Vice President for Administration, addresses the honorees during the opening remarks.
  • Donna Donovan, Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources, speaking at a podium during the opening remarks.
    Donna Donovan, Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources, addresses the honorees during the opening remarks.
  • Todd Bradley, Senior Human Resources Professional, speaking at a podium during the event.
    Special thanks to Todd Bradley, Senior Human Resources Professional, for emceeing the event.
  • A large crowd of service milestone and retirement honorees and their guests enjoy the reception at the Kellogg Center.
    Service milestone and retirement honorees and their guests enjoy the reception at the Kellogg Center.
  • Some honorees are standing during the ceremony to acknowledge their years of service to the university.
    Some honorees are asked to stand during the ceremony to acknowledge their years of service to the university.
  • Sparty high fives milestone honorees during the reception.
    Sparty high fives milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the reception.
  • Three milestone honorees pose for a photo.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Seven milestone attendees pose for a photo during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Two milestone attendees pose for a photo during the reception.
    Milestone honorees during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Two milestone honorees pose for a photo during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Donna Donovan (left), Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources stands with Thomas Jeitschko, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    Donna Donovan (left), Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources with Thomas Jeitschko, Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs.
  • Five milestone honorees pose for a photo with the Sparty mascot during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests with Sparty.
  • Three milestone honorees during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Two milestone honorees during the reception.
    Milestone honorees during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • A milestone honoree with Sparty during the reception.
    A milestone honoree with Sparty.
  • A milestone honoree with Sparty.
    A milestone honoree with Sparty.
  • Five milestone honorees during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • Three milestone honorees during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.
  • A milestone honoree with Sparty.
    A milestone honoree with Sparty.
  • Six milestone honorees during the reception.
    Milestone honorees, colleagues, friends, and guests during the event at the Kellogg Center.

Executive Vice President for Administration, Vennie Gore, and Interim Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Donna Donovan, acknowledged service milestone and retirement honorees and expressed their gratitude during the ceremony. We’d like to extend a special thanks to Todd Bradley, Senior Human Resources Professional, for emceeing the event.  

You can watch the opening remarks from the event below or on YouTube.

The university thanks these honorees for their talent, passion, loyalty, and contribution to our shared purpose. If you see a colleague’s name in this year’s awards program, don’t forget to congratulate them! 

All photo credit: Dane Robison/TimeFramePhoto 
All video credit: Cheeney Media Concepts 

Job of The Week: Assistant Director of Annual Giving – Telemarketing

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

This week, we are featuring a job posting as the Assistant Director of Annual Giving-Telemarketing with the MSU Alumni Office of University Advancement (job posting 1038890). If you are interested in supervising student staff and managers of a student-run telemarketing program, Greenline, and increasing alumni engagement, this may be the role for you.

University Advancement looks to the future with optimism and a growth mindset, and its mission is to advance the Spartan impact. MSU Greenline, one of the largest programs in the Big Ten, is a student-run program that aims to reach 10,000 to 15,000 alumni and friends each shift, resulting in personal contact with over 175,000 alumni each year! In 2024, MSU Greenline secured more than $500,000 from over 6,000 pledges. 

In this position, you will primarily oversee student employees and managers at MSU Greenline and ensure the call center software (VanillaSoft) is working effectively and efficiently. You will develop and maintain comprehensive training, pledge processing procedures, and procedures to handle concerns and questions over the phone. You will also serve as the primary liaison for telemarketing issues regarding vendors, systems, and inquiries from other institutions. Additionally, you will create and monitor student work schedules, meet regularly with student managers, oversee hiring a diverse range of students, and update scripts, acknowledgement letters, and information for student callers. Find a complete list of job responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

This position requires a degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or Business, and one to three years of related work in professional fundraising, public relations, marketing, higher education fundraising, or similar. The ability to foster a good working environment, recognize the importance of teamwork, and have excellent written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills is desired. 

Learn more about University Advancement and MSU Greenline. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter and resume, and should be submitted by June 3.

Your Mental Health and Wellbeing Matter

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MSU is committed to supporting employees by providing benefits, programs, and a workplace culture that prioritizes mental health and employee wellbeing. However, according to a 2024 SHRM study, “Employees are not taking full advantage of the benefits already being provided. Nearly 70 percent of U.S. workers said they are unaware or only somewhat aware of the available resources.” We want to ensure you know the resources available to support you and your family’s well-being and mental health. Check out these resources to help you prioritize and invest in your care and well-being.

Trained Mental Health Professional Benefit Resources: 

  • MSU faculty, staff, retirees, graduate and student employees, and their benefits-eligible dependents have access to the Employee Assistance Program, which provides confidential counseling at no cost. MSU offers Zoom and in-person appointments to best fit your work schedule. Due to licensing regulations, individuals must be in the state of Michigan to access services.
  • MSU employees and their dependents (age 18+) currently enrolled in an MSU health plan have access to Teladoc. This online medical care service gives you 24/7 access to a healthcare professional via web, phone, or mobile app in minutes. Teladoc’s services extend to behavioral health (anxiety, depression, grief counseling, etc.). 
  • If you are enrolled in an MSU health plan, refer to the Mental Health Care section of the health care plan summary (support staff or faculty/academic staff) for specific details about mental health benefits.

Wellbeing Tools and Resources:.

  • The Spartan Resilience Education Program, through various media and seminars/webinars, seeks to ensure that resilience education is accessible, inclusive, and ever-present as part of the “Spartan Experience.” They aim to provide opportunities for any Spartan to develop (or strengthen) the skills needed to respond effectively to their unique collection of challenges.
    • Learning the basic principles presented in the Breaking Free from Stress course will help you experience less day-to-day stress and more joy and satisfaction as you increase your capacity to live your life in alignment with your deepest wisdom and greatest sense of purpose. 2025 session dates are out now!
    • Mindful STATE is a university-wide, collaborative initiative to further the practice of mindfulness and other contemplative practices among members of the MSU community. Join fellow Spartans Lisa Laughman, Meg Moore, or John Taylor for a brief meditation to help you return to a more mindful state. Meditation videos are available when you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried about someone, or stressed.
    • The MSU Grief and Loss Support Group meets weekly (virtually) to support individuals grieving the loss of a friend, loved one, pet, co-worker, or family member.
  • University Health and Wellbeing creates an inclusive, responsive work environment that respects and supports all employees’ wellbeing in their work and personal lives.
    • Abrams Planetarium is holding Rest with Music live musical performances featuring a variety of musical styles and genres. 
    • Set for Success: A 45-minute virtual webinar focusing on three key health topics—Sleep, Ergonomics, and Time Management. This series provides valuable insights and practical tips to help participants make positive lifestyle changes at work and at home.
  • Review the Well-being at Work Guide to learn how to create and maintain healthier and happier workspaces and teams.
  • The Beal Botanical Garden is a favorite place for campus and community members to unplug from the chaos of their everyday lives and enjoy the beauty of nature.
    • The Nurture Your Roots program invites you to connect mind, body, and nature with practices to enrich well-being.
    • Explore mindfulness through journaling with their Pocket Journal designed by Beal Scholar Elliot Pancioli. During the warmer season, they offer Yoga in the Garden. These classes are free, but registration is required. Watch the events page for more information. 
    • They also offer a Campus Meditation Map, which highlights places across campus where you can take a moment to center yourself and practice self-care or enjoy a beautiful view.

Local Resources: 

Work should never interfere with maintaining good mental health. If we missed any resources, let us know in the comments below!

Sources:

Agovino, T. (2024, May 3). Mental health, HR and the Workplace. Welcome to SHRM. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/all-things-work/mental-health–hr-and-the-workplace

Mother’s Day Deals and Discounts

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This Mother’s Day (May 11), show the mom in your life that you appreciate them with a thoughtful gift or experience – whether that’s your mom, mother to your kiddos, stepmom, mother-in-law, or any maternal figure in your life.

MSU benefits-eligible employees can access many discounts and savings through MSU Benefits Plus. To access all the discounts, visit MSU Benefits Plus and sign up for a free account using your MSU email address.

Flowers 

  • ReVased: Take 20% off any ReVased flower bouquet or plant purchase with code CORESTREAM20. 
  • 1-800-Flowers: Save 20% on fresh, high-quality flowers using code CSTREAM.  
  • RoseFarmers: Save 35% on luxury long-stem roses.  

Gifts 

  • Gardyn: Get a gift with the new Gardyn 4.0 indoor gardening system using code EATGREENS.  
  • Bombas: Save 20% off your purchase using code CORESTREAM20.  
  • Gamefly: For the first three months, you can get $14 off your monthly subscription and access to the full game library. 
  • Nobull: 20% off training shoes and apparel using code CORESTREAM20.  

Food 

  • GiftTree: Save 10% on most gifts and gift baskets using code MSU10. 
  • Wolferman’s: Save 20% on specialty breakfast foods and unique bakery treats with code CSTREAM. 
  • Harry and David: Save 20% on the finest gourmet foods and fresh fruit gifts with code CSTREAM. 

Experiences 

  • W. K. Kellogg Biological Station: Free admission to the bird sanctuary for moms on Sunday, May 11! Spring flowers and trees are in bloom, and migration season is underway. 

Find these discounts and many more by visiting the MSU Benefits Plus website. For questions, please get in touch with the MSU Benefits Plus customer care team at 888-758-7575. 

May Events Round-Up

Published on by Abigail MillerLeave a comment

If you and your family are looking for events in May, you have come to the right place! May holds many opportunities on campus and in the Greater Lansing area. Visit the links below to explore upcoming events and register if necessary. 

Campus Events

May 3 – Family Day: RESEARCH: First Saturday means Family Day at the MSU Broad Art Museum! Investigate art materials as playful research and see what different things art materials can do, inspired by the MSU students in the 2025 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition. 

May 8 – Beal Botanical Garden Tour: Spring Ephemerals:  Join Arboretum and Invasive Species Coordinator Carolyn Miller for a garden walk to enjoy the spring ephemerals in their floral display and maybe even spot some birds on the way! 

May 10 – Museum Tour: Deep-Rooted with Beal Botanical Garden  Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

May 19—Rest With Music: Music can heal, calm, and regenerate our mind, body, and spirit. Hosted by Health Promotion and Engagement, Abrams Planetarium is holding Rest with Music, live musical performances featuring a variety of musical styles and genres. Visit the website for available dates and times.

May 28 – Beal Footprints Walking Tour Series: Join Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum for lunchtime guided tours beginning at the Beal Pond. May’s tour is “Plant identification for everyone” by Director Alan Prather.

May 21 to June 1 – Hamilton: A revolutionary story of passion, ambition, and the dawn of a new nation, Hamilton is coming to the Wharton Center. Visit the Wharton Center website to read more about the musical and check out dates and ticket pricing. 

Greater Lansing Area Events

May 2—Teens and Adults with Disabilities Social Night: Teens and adults with disabilities can visit the Valley Farms Community Center for an evening of dancing, refreshments, and friends—old and new!  

May 17 – The Best of Lansing Festival: Celebrate the best of the best of downtown Lansing! This free event transforms Lansing into a playground of people of all ages coming together for huge inflatable obstacle courses on the Capitol Lawn, over 100 vendors featuring Lansing’s finest creations, and showcasing the Lansing City Pulse’s Top of the Town winners. 

May 17 and 18—East Lansing Art Festival: Visit the East Lansing Art Festival to celebrate its 62-year tradition of bringing high-quality art to the streets of East Lansing. Immerse yourself in the art, creativity, and culture of the Greater Lansing area community.  

May 22 – Thursday Night Live! Mason Outdoor Concert Series: “Thursday Night Live!” is a summer series of free musical entertainment hosted by the Mason Area Chamber of Commerce to bring various musical experiences and the community together. All ages are welcome to bring chairs and blankets to sprawl on the lawn and enjoy free entertainment with crafts, concessions, and more available. 

Family-Friendly Events

May 11 and 21—Impression 5’s Sensory Friendly Hours: You and your family can visit the Impression 5 Science Center’s select exhibits, which have been altered to reduce sounds, scents, and lighting stimuli. Guests can expect a small group capacity, pop-up activities, and maps designated for these select areas.

May 29 – The Spongebob Musical: Visit the Riverwalk Theatre in Lansing to see The Spongebob Musical – a cartoonish romp by Kyle Jarrow and Tina Landau. 

Select Dates in May – Lansing Lugnuts Home Game: Cheer on your local Lansing Lugnuts at a home game this season at Jackson Field! 

Recurring Fridays and Saturdays – Toddler Time at Launch Lansing: Visit Launch Lansing Trampoline Park during select times to enjoy children’s music, visits from Joey the kangaroo, and a special toddler section with your little ones. 

Learning Opportunities

May 1 – Conflict Management:  Learn how to resolve conflict, de-escalate situations, and manage crises in the workplace. This training will help you apply these tactics to real-life situations. 

May 6—Grammar Refresher: This virtual workshop will strengthen your grammar and usage skills and help you present a more professional image in the workplace. 

May 7 – Webinar – How Can I Afford College for my Kids or Grandkids? Hosted by TIAA, register for this webinar for helpful insights into how to make the best decisions when saving for a child’s future education. Learn why saving for college is essential, how to get started, how to avoid debt, and more. 

May 8—Identify and Maximize Your Strengths: Part 2 Unlock the Full 34: In this series, you will learn to identify personal talents through the CliftonStrengths Full 34 Report, evaluate how these talents impact work relationships and performance, and determine how to develop further natural talents through the given tools. 

May 8, 15, 22, and 29 – Breaking Free from Stress: This four-part virtual series explores how awareness of your thoughts can bring your personal and work life together. Become a wise leader of your personal and work life, move beyond anxiety and depression, stay steady in difficult times, embrace change, and more in this webinar. 

May 13 – Records Management and Retention at MSU: Learn the rules, regulations, and strategies to help manage university records. 

May 14, 21, and 28—Setting Healthy Boundaries: This webinar teaches signs to know when it is time to set a boundary, the different types of boundaries we need to set, how to manage negative emotions that may come up when discussing boundaries, and more. 

May 15 – Webinar: Financial Wellness and Mental Health:  Learn the relationship between mental and financial well-being in this webinar hosted by the TIAA. Gather insights on how financial problems can impact mental health, how mental health impacts decision making, the importance of developing a personal wellness plan, and resources that are available to help. 

May 28 – Maximize Your Concur Travel Skills: Recommended for new-to MSU employees, this course teaches how to understand the Concur systems, create a travel request, book travel, reconcile travel expenses, and more. 

May 29 – Mandatory Reporting Obligations for RVSM: MSU’s Prevention Outreach and Education (POE) presenters will review the University’s  Mandatory Reporting for Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct and Title IX policy and employee expectations under the policy. This training will also provide attendees with practices and support for those affected by RVSM. 

Job of The Week: Human Resource, Operations and Facilities Manager

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This week, we are featuring a job posting as a Human Resources, Operations, and Facilities Manager for the MSU College of Law (job posting 10095517).  If you are looking to provide HR expertise as a member of the leadership team of the College of Law, this may be the position for you.

The MSU College of Law is a driving force for justice and excellence rooted in equitable opportunity. It has a mission to transform legal practice and policymaking and apply legal expertise for the greater good. With 2,500+ graduates fighting crime and advocating for social justice, MSU College of Law gives students hands-on opportunities and fosters like-minded communities to learn to be leaders in the legal profession. 

In this position, you will manage and provide human resources expertise within the College of Law and partner with central and unit HR representatives to ensure alignment with all policies and procedures. You will represent the college in grievances, arbitrations, and workers’ compensation hearings, and you will resolve complex problems with staff and faculty. The manager will develop and oversee training programs and organize/conduct orientation programs, tours, and related activities for incoming employees. Additionally, you will maintain employment data to analyze and provide recommendations to employees, collaborate with the College of Law units on Talent Management, and address issues and develop strategies to address them, including internal complaints. Find a complete list of job responsibilities on the MSU Careers website.

This position requires a degree in Human Resources or similar and three to five years of work experience in accounting, management, budget preparation, and database system analysis and maintenance. It is desired that you are knowledgeable of faculty and support staff hiring processes, have a strong ability to maintain confidentiality, the ability to foster a cooperative work environment, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to enter, manage, track, and maintain sensitive data and manual records. 

Learn more about the MSU College of Law here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and three professional references, and should be submitted by May 6.

Celebrate Earth Day at MSU!

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Earth Day is April 22 – a perfect reminder that every day is a chance to show our planet some love! While there are many eco-friendly things we weave into our daily lives already, Earth Day is a great opportunity to promote sustainability. Whether you’re working remotely or commuting into the office, take a look at these tips and resources to go green:

Use the MSU Recycling Center: The MSU Recycling Center always leads the charge for reusable materials at MSU. The center is open seven days a week for drop-off of materials. These materials can be anything and everything, including books, cardboard, glass, plastics, and more! Read the Public Drop-off Recycling Center Guide to find their hours and what and how to drop things off. 

Join the Waste Warriors: The Surplus Store & Recycling Center’s Waste Warriors program cultivates waste reduction and the utilization of waste as a resource by training and empowering the MSU community to promote these practices among their peers. By becoming a Waste Warrior, you join a group of like-minded staff and faculty from across campus who each pledge to be part of the solution that will lead MSU down the path to zero waste.

Meridian Township Spring Recycling Day: On April 26th, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., stop by the Meridian Mall to safely recycle your unwanted items at the Meridian Township Farmers’ Market. Visit the Meridian Township website to see what items are accepted. 

Shop at the MSU Surplus Store: The MSU Surplus Store and Recycling Center rethinks the way the MSU Community disposes of its used materials. Our innovative program allows us to reduce the amount of university material that goes to landfills, keeping MSU green. Shop from a variety of items, including books, electronics, furniture, office equipment, vehicles, and more. Additionally, check out the Community Reuse Program to drop off a wide variety of items for reuse and recycling.

Join MSU Arbor Day: On April 25 at noon, join the MSU Landscapers installing native plant material along the riverbank, creating a new pollinator garden. Volunteer along the banks of the Red Cedar River between Kellogg Ramp and Jenison Field House in lot 67 for the annual Arbor Day planting. Free trees from the campus nursery will be given away to the first 100 volunteers who attend.

Pack Up, Pitch In: The Student Life and Engagement Sustainability Office is looking for volunteers to help collect and pack non-perishable foods from the residence halls during move-in and move-out weeks. These efforts will directly benefit the MSU Food Bank, MSU Safe Place, and the sustainability of the MSU community. 

Deep Rooted Tour Series: Join Applied Ethnobotanist and Education Director of the Beal Botanical Gardens, Maeve Bassett, to learn about the social, historical, and political narratives within plants in the garden and artwork in the MSU Broad Art Collection.

Volunteer at the Beal Botanical Garden: Volunteer opportunities with the Beal Botanical Garden and Campus Arboretum span far beyond Earth Day. Explore gardening, training opportunities, and ambassadorships to help benefit the campus and our Earth. 

Use MSU Bikes on Campus: MSU Bikes provides support with commuter resources to help you bike to work with confidence, including a 1-on-1 Bike Commuter Assistance service, which helps you find the safest, lowest-stress route to and from campus to your neighborhood. MSU Bikes also rents bikes to departments for staff to use during the work day through their Department Fleet Services.

Limit Car Use: While there is no getting around long commutes, take any opportunity to walk or use MSU Bikes or CATA buses to limit emissions from your vehicle. No destination in mind? Explore these campus walking maps to find your new favorite trail!

How else can we get involved? 

While Earth Day is just one day out of the year, it can serve as a reminder to jumpstart your sustainability efforts and connection with our planet. Go Green!

Job of The Week: Nurse Clinician I

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This week, MSU Human Resources is featuring a job posting as a Nurse Clinician I for MSU Health Care  (job posting 1033014). If you are looking to work as a registered nurse with patient care as a top priority, this may be the role for you. 

From joint ventures and partnerships to leveraging expansive clinical research and expert educational strengths for patients, MSU Health Care focuses on providing healing and caring to all. MSU Health Care spans 46 adult and pediatric specialties committed to high-quality patient care. Their missions are to deliver a personalized experience and a safe environment for all, train the next generation of clinicians, ensure equitable access, and offer the highest quality of care. MSU Health Care remains dedicated to providing an exceptional experience and enhancing life. 

In this position, you will evaluate patient status and implement care within the facility. You will work closely with the multidisciplinary team and are expected to uphold ethical and safe processes while keeping patient care as a top priority. Additionally, you will provide safe, effective, and culturally competent patient care while aligning with organizational policies and procedures. This position requires significant physical effort, involving lifting and maneuvering patients, extensive walking and standing, and visual and hearing acuity to communicate with patients. 

This role requires a degree in Nursing and one to three years of related or progressively more expansive work experience in nursing. This role also requires the possession of a current license to practice as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan. Experience in surgery, heart and vascular, or urology practice setting is preferred. 

Learn more about MSU Health Care here. To learn more or apply, please visit the MSU Careers website. Applications require a cover letter, resume, and proof of a valid State of Michigan RN license and should be submitted by April 22.

5 Financial Goals to Consider with Help from Fidelity and TIAA

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As a benefits-eligible employee, you may know about the generous retirement savings programs and resources MSU offers to help set you up for a successful retirement. However, MSU’s retirement plan vendors, Fidelity and TIAA, can help you with more than just retirement planning. Whatever your financial goals – such as funding a big purchase, paying down debt, or creating a sustainable budget – Fidelity and TIAA can help you create a plan to achieve them. 

Fidelity and TIAA are financial professionals who can provide strategies and advice to help you take charge of your finances. Review the goals below and then contact your vendor using the following information. 

1. Create a Budget: Many people only have a vague understanding of their spending habits or financial situation. Between trying to comprehend financial jargon, figuring out your goals, and understanding how to balance debt, saving, and investing, it’s no wonder people often bury their heads in the sand. Luckily, Fidelity and TIAA have tools, resources, and advice to help us make a plan and stay on track. 
More Information: 

2. Build an Emergency Fund: Setting aside money for an emergency – such as unemployment, surprise medical or vet bills, or unplanned home repairs – is a key element of basic financial planning and often the first step advisors will recommend. According to TIAA, “it’s good to maintain an emergency fund that would cover three to six months of living expenses” (Waltenberger, 2024). These living expenses include the things you absolutely must pay for each month, such as food, housing, utilities, child care, health care, transportation, debt payments, or similar. 
 
The latest report released by the Federal Reserve found that 37% of adults would not be able to afford a $400 emergency expense (2024, Federal Reserve), which means they would have to use credit cards, personal loans, early retirement withdrawals, or ask family/friends for assistance. Saving towards an emergency fund – even if it’s only a small amount each month – can help you build a safety net to keep you out of debt. 
More Information: 

3. Pay Down Debt: The average American owes $105,056 in debt across mortgage loans, home equity lines of credit, student loans, auto loans, credit cards, and personal loans (Experian, 2024). While it’s important to note that having debt isn’t necessarily bad – a mortgage loan, for instance, can help you build wealth and eventually own a home – having too much debt or high-interest debt can lead to financial stress. Fidelity clarifies, “Good debt is generally considered any debt that may help you increase your net worth or generate future income. Importantly, it typically has a low interest or annual percentage rate (APR), which experts say is normally under 6%” (Fidelity, 2023). 
 
If you’re only able to make the minimum payment on your credit card, have trouble paying your monthly bills, or have debt payments that are more than 35% of your gross income, you may need help managing your debt (TIAA, 2024). Luckily, TIAA and Fidelity have actionable steps to help you move in the right direction. Review the resources below for advice on managing debt and contact your vendor directly to receive personal financial advice. 
More Information: 

4. Maximize Your Retirement Investment: Most benefit-eligible employees1 are enrolled in the 403(b) Base Retirement Program, which consists of a 5% employee contribution of your eligible compensation and a generous university matching contribution of 10%. That’s an immediate two-for-one match of your investment for a total contribution of 15%. While this provides a great foundation for your retirement savings, you may eventually want to consider additional options. It’s important to note that the IRS places limits on how much employees can contribute to their retirement savings accounts each year. However, many people may discover there is a lot of room before their current contributions reach that limit. Fidelity and TIAA can help you determine what your retirement contributions should be to help you reach your personal retirement goals – whether that date is 30 years in the future or just around the corner. 
More Information: 

5. Plan Your Estate: According to TIAA, “Pondering your incapacity or mortality, and what might happen to your loved ones when you are no longer with them, can be tough to face. It’s what keeps most people from starting the estate planning process” (TIAA, 2024). Despite the challenging nature of the topic, creating a solid plan can give you and your family peace of mind and the confidence that your wishes will be carried out as desired. 
More Information: 

Questions? We encourage you to reach out to Fidelity  (800-642-7131) or TIAA  (800-732-8353) with your financial or retirement planning questions. 

1 Certain types of employees are excluded from participating in the 403(b) Retirement Plan. Please see the 403(b) Base Retirement Program Eligibility Chart for more details.  

Sources: 

Five Essential Estate planning questions to ask. TIAA. (n.d.-a). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/retirement-planning-and-beyond/important-estate-planning-questions 

Good debt vs bad debt. Fidelity. (2024, February 14). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/good-debt-vs-bad-debt Horymski, C. (2024, March 22). Experian study: Average U.S. consumer debt and statistics. Experian. https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/research/consumer-debt-study/ 

How to make a financial plan. Fidelity. (2024, February 21). https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/wealth-management-insights/how-to-make-a-financial-plan-video 

Report on the economic well-being of U.S. households in 2023 – May 2024. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. (2024, May). https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/2024-economic-well-being-of-us-households-in-2023-executive-summary.htm  

Tips for managing and reducing your debt. TIAA. (n.d.). https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/personal-finance-101/debt-consolidation 

Waltenberger, A. (n.d.). 5 must-have financial goals. TIAA. https://www.tiaa.org/public/learn/personal-finance-101/5-must-have-financial-goals 

Opening photo by Freepik.